Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

ADDERLEY, Nat

(b 25 Nov. '31, Tampa FL; d 2 Jan. 2000) Cornet, composer. Started on trumpet '46 influnced by his father and his brother Julian 'Cannonball' Adderley (see his entry); switched to cornet '50; also plays mellophone and French horn. He worked in the late '50s with Lionel Hampton, in brother's combo, with J. J. Johnson, Woody Herman; rejoined his brother late '59 and shared the combo's success until Cannonball's death in '75. His albums as leader, mostly on Riverside in a quintet context included Work Song '60, but That's Right same year had the Big Sax Section, with five reeds including Cannonball. Four albums on Atlantic '64-6 included versions of 'Sermonette' and 'Work Song', his best-known tunes; The Scavenger (Milestone '68) followed by Comin' Out Of The Shadows on A&M with strings same year; Soul Zodiac on Capitol '70 was two-disc set with narration and made the Billboard album chart '72; Soul Of The Bible '72 was also a double album. Other albums: Double Exposure on Prestige '74 (large group including Cannonball); A Little New York Midtown Music on Galaxy '78 (quintet with Johnny Griffin and Ron Carter). On The Move and Blue Autumn '83 on Evidence had a quintet live at Keystone Korner; Autumn Leaves '90 live at Sweet Basil, also on Evidence; Good Company '94 was on Challenge; The Old Country '90 on Enja, Talkin' About You '90 on Landmark, Live At The 1994 Floating Jazz Festival on Chiaroscuro and We Remember Cannon '95 on In+Out all have Vincent Herring on alto; Mercy, Mercy, Mercy! '95 on Evidence has Antonio Hart, celebrating the classic Cannonball live album. Nat had his right foot amputated '97 as a result of diabetes; he died of further complications.